manifold build for "shurflo" set-up ?

[littleTapper]

I had a spider-web 1/2 PVC manifold in a plastic tote for a few years and the recirculation line also ran into it. Built a new manifold for this season with some clear 1.25" PVC and drilled/tapped it for 1/4 valves. Manifold is sloped to the pump and recirc line now goes into the pump before the sap from the lines; hoping it results in keeping everything cooler (and I have both a light bulb for heat and cooling fans on a controller to regulate the temp inside the tote).

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[Dadz]

I went with a stainless manifold, 25 taps per 3/16 tubing and a valve on each. Mountain Maple S3 Dual Controler with two Shurflo 4048’s (150 taps each) added a recirculating line with valve as well.

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[NhShaun]

Great photos, thanks for sharing. I am curious if anyone has set up a manifold with both 3/16 and 5/16 lines coming in. I can't see why it wouldn't work but figured i would throw it out there. I have a small piece of property i will be tapping this year with around 90-120 taps. I want to add a shurflo set up similar to what has been shared here or possibly just a 3/4 mainline right to the pump with 5/16 laterals. There is one section on a ledge that has a decent drop after the last tree around 12ft but the rest of the trees are in a low flat spot where the pump will be located. Thought about maybe utilizing the 3/16 for the 25 or so trees on the ledge.

[RC Maple]

How much vacuum are you seeing with all the ports on the manifold plugged? I have a mod#4008 and I am seeing 20"

I was trying to see which thread to ask a question or start a new thread. I flipped my 4008 pump on for the first time with it connected to my 5/16 lines yesterday. I have 3 lines coming into a 1/2" stainless manifold with a 3/16" recirculation line going into a 3-way valve. I also have a vacuum gauge at the end of the manifold and one near the end of each line. When flipping the switch yesterday, the most vacuum I saw at the manifold was 8" - only 5" without the recirculation valve on. It did run all night that way and I did find sap in the tank this morning but I haven't checked any buckets to compare the amount with. Thinking I must have leaks in the manifold, I took it off and retaped and tightened every fitting. After putting it all back together and turning it on I did watch the gauge climb to a new high - 10" The gauges near the end of the lines also have higher readings but only 7 or 8". One line has 6 taps on it, another 5 taps, and the last one 2 taps. I know from reading here that I should be looking for 20" - 25" of vacuum. Any thoughts as to why after only a few inches of manifold I am only halfway there?

[NhShaun]

Do you have a strainer before your pump? I have heard of a few people having issues with the seal on those causing leaks. Ice clogging it could be an issue as well, Since it would be between your manifold and your gauge, it would read very little vac if clogged up.

[RC Maple]

Thanks. Yes, there is a strainer there. I can check it. I thought that the recirculation line I put in with the 3-way valve would be just to help when the system started running until the sap got to the pump. I've read where some people have them and never used them. When I turn that recirculation valve off, my vacuum drops quite a bit, even when it's getting sap.

[NhShaun]

I think people are typically using needle valves for the recirc function. The opinions and results tend to vary with the use or need of recirc lines on these low cfm pumps. If your lines are pitched really well to the pump and the sun hits them early you are less likely to need one. If they are flatter runs possibly with just 3/16 lines like some people are using, without much sun exposure. You may need one to get the vac up until the sap starts flowing well. The issue i see is being around to adjust the needle valve accordingly, depending on the day.
To anyone building a manifold for these pumps, i would suggest adding a recirc line anyway, as it would be easier to implement into the initial design than adding it later. It would also help diagnose and rule out problems with leaks and surging down the road. Plus who doesn't need one more valve to play with during the season?

[Martin Wollmann]

I don't understand this
elbow and make sure the fittings side is pointed up fittings side is pointed up
any pics?

martin

[RileySugarbush]

https://youtu.be/18RK7i22OBE

Here is my manifold. Just a piece of UHMW plastic drilled and tapped. Simple, small and works great. For reference, I don't have any temperature controller. I turn this on at the beginning of the season, and off at the end. No problems with freeze ups and the pump keeps going. 12V pump running on an old battery charger.

[NhShaun]

https://youtu.be/18RK7i22OBE
No problems with freeze ups and the pump keeps going. 12V pump running on an old battery charger.

Nice set up you've got there. Curious about how you connected the battery charger to the pump, are you not using a battery and just directly wiring it?